Can someone please tell me the symbols of Mahayana Buddhism?

Question

Important symbols to be exact. You know, like objects or whatnot.

Answer 1

it is a wheel with eight spokes on it, it looks like a navagation wheel on a wooden ship.

Answer 2

http://www.khandro.net/symbolism_ritual_toc.htm <<< more on tibetan symbolism. Vajrayana (an extension of mahayana) deals a lot with transformation, and therefore, symbolism is widely used.

Different schools of Mahayana practise differently. Some emphasized on symbolism, some not so...in zen, symbolism are minimal.

The ideal of the Mahayana school, is that of the Bodhisattva, a person who delays his or her own enlightenment in order to compassionately assist all other beings and ultimately attains to the highest Bodhi.

Answer 3

The Swastika is a symbol that has become associated with Nazi Germany. Its origins, however, lie in the culture of many ancient cultures, symbolizing good fortune. In Buddhism, it is a symbol of the Buddha's heart and mind, sometimes appearing on the Buddha's chest in sculptural representations.

The lotus (Sanskrit and Tibetan padma) is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols and one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teaching.

The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment. Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface.

According to the Lalitavistara, "the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it." According to another scholar, "in esoteric Buddhism, the heart of the beings is like an unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha develop therein, the lotus blossoms; that is why the Buddha sits on a lotus bloom."

The lotus is one of Buddhism's best recognized motifs and appears in all kinds of Buddhist art across all Buddhist cultures. Scrolling lotuses often embellish Buddhist textiles, ceramics and architecture. Every important Buddhist deity is associated in some manner with the lotus, either being seated upon a lotus in full bloom or holding one in their hands. In some images of standing Buddhas, each foot rests on a separate lotus.

The color of the lotus has an important bearing on the symbology associated with it:

White Lotus (Skt. pundarika; Tib. pad ma dkar po): This represents the state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity (bodhi). It is associated with the White Tara and proclaims her perfect nature, a quality which is reinforced by the color of her body.
Pink Lotus (Skt. padma; Tib. pad ma dmar po): This the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself.
Red Lotus (Skt. kamala; Tib: pad ma chu skyes): This signifies the original nature and purity of the heart (hrdya). It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
Blue Lotus (Skt. utpala; Tib. ut pa la): This is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. Not surprisingly, it is the preferred flower of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

Answer 4

I found a number of visual symbols for Buddhism, although I don't know that these are specific to Mahayana.

Here's a site where you can read descriptions, and that has some photogrraphs:

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/tibet/religious-symbol.htm

And here's another:

http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/general_symbols_buddhism.html

Answer 5

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Firstly, good on you for recognising your own lack of discipline. As it's after 2am here & I've much to do tomorrow I wish I could sort out this issue myself. Anyway, here are your 3 options: Buddhism - believes in rebirth (not reincarnation) - believes desire causes suffering and we must pass through rebirth until we are free of desire - believes freedom from desire is nirvana/paradise - requires one to seek insight through meditation so as to attain enlightenment and become free of desire - sacred writings are the Tripitaka, the Three Baskets - 5 precepts are: don't kill any sentient being, don't steal, don't fornicate, don't lie, don't drink any alcohol - to attain enlightenment, you need to avoid the above and follow the Noble Eightfold Path (google it please) - Theravadan Buddhism is the original form which basically says you have to be a monk to reach enlightenment. It rejects rituals, images and praying to Buddha. It is very mystical. - Mahayana Buddhism is called the Greater Wheel because it believes ordinary folk can become enlightened not just monks. However it believes that Bodhisattvas, those who have reached enlightenment but are still on earth, have a role in helping others around them, whereas the former tradition is more introspective. - Zen Buddhism grew out of the Mahayana tradition. It poses riddles as a way of teaching people to meditate that their way of thinking may become more intuitive and less rational. It considers words superficial and understanding vital for deeper spirituality. - Vajrayana Buddhism uses mantras borrowed from the Tantric Hindu tradition and physical gestures to strive towards what is the Absolute, i.e. the nothingness of nirvana. It is the source of mandalas, meditation circles which represent cosmic relationships which are impermanent. Tibetan Buddhism is a form of this with a great focus on the Bodhisatva of compassion, Avalokitesvara. Taoism - Tao means Way, it is a way of life. - sacred writings are the Tao Te Ching, which, may I recommend is generally a good source of advice for anyone wanting to live a better life. - it aims for serenity in spite of whatever dualities people may construct. - the Yin & Yang symbol is Taoist as is Tai Ch'i which may be useful for your efforts to learn discipline. - many Taoist teachings are similar to Buddhist ones, particularly Zen. - whereas Taoism tends towards spiritualism, Confucianism tends to have a more practical focus. - although Lao Tzu started his movement as a philosophy, he is now worshipped as the supreme deity by modern Taoists in general. You may not like this. - Taoists seek freedom, which may not suit your discipline angle so well, freedom from morals, politics, and generally anything which takes them from the Way. How different groups go about this varies. - believes people should stop interfering and let everything take its course. - teaches that we should act in harmony with nature - teaches acting without thought or effort, spontaneous behaviour isn't exactly what you're after is it mate? Confucianism - is a philosophy with roots predating Confucius, who claimed to be an interpreter of earlier scholars - has Four Books of teachings - highly concerned with morals, social cohesion & order, which could be what you're after. - uses the Yin & Yang as a symbol of balance - is transcendental, believing in heaven and spirits which should be honoured. However it teaches that these are unable to be understood without an understanding of this world and so focuses upon humanistic goals generally. - values good manners, which could help you with becoming disciplined - has various other classical writings on various topics - Confucians tend to venerate Confucius as a Wise Sage, much like how Catholics venerate the Apostles. He is not considered divine but is very close to it. He is considered superior and can be prayed to. Is there a reason you have not considered Jainism? Their non-violent principles cause them to take great care and the result is much orderliness. Please feel free to send a personal message if you would care to discuss this matter further :)